Evaluation of KO-Tab 1-2-3 super([registered]): a wash-resistant 'dip-it- yourself' insecticide formulation for long-lasting treatment of mosquito nets

• Published in: Malaria journal Vol. 4
• Main Authors: Yates, Alison, N'Guessan, Raphael, Kaur, Harparkash, Akogbeto, Martin, Rowland, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2005
• Subjects: Culicidae; Africa
• ISSN: 1475-2875; 1475-2875
• DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-4-52

Introduction Insecticide-treated nets (ITN) are an important method of preventing malaria. To remain effective, they need to be re-treated with pyrethroid insecticide at approximately yearly intervals. Systems for re- treating nets in Africa are limited, and the vast majority of nets in use have never been treated or were treated only once. Bayer Environmental Science (BES) has developed a long-lasting formulation 'KO-Tab 1-2-3 super([registered])' which can be applied to the net post-manufacture, under field conditions, and renders the insecticide wash-resistant. Methods The performance of polyester nets treated with three kinds of BES long-lasting formulations, a conventional ITN (treated with standard KO-Tab) and PermaNet 2.0 were evaluated after washing samples of treated netting up to 30 times using standard WHO procedures. Performance was measured using 'three-minute exposure' and 'median time to knockdown' bioassay tests and by measuring the levels of deltamethrin using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Results The conventional ITN was largely stripped of deltamethrin within 5-10 washes and insecticidal efficacy in bioassay declined to suboptimal levels. With PermaNet and KO-Tab 1-2-3 the loss of deltamethrin was much slower: insecticide content halved within 20 washes and there was no loss of biological efficacy in three-minute exposure bioassays in WHO cylinders even after 30 washes. After 30 washes there remained on the netting 16% (4.4 mg/m ) of the loading dose of KO-Tab 1-2-3 and 28% (18.8 mg/m ) of the loading dose of PermaNet. Conclusion KO-Tab 1-2-3 was confirmed to be a long-lasting insecticide formulation. This finding raises the prospect of conventional polyester nets being converted into long-lasting insecticidal nets through simple dipping in the community or at home. This single development, if widely adopted, could transform the malaria control landscape in Africa and have a major impact on malaria.